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Acer America Seeks U.S. Smartphone Share

Acer America is following through on plans to expand its selection of unlocked smartphones beyond the single Windows Phone 8.1 device launched earlier this year.

The two new models are Android 4.4.4 phones, both equipped with LTE, joining the Windows 8.1 HSPA+21Mbps Liquid M220, available in Microsoft stores and online retailers at prices ranging from $49 to $147.

The new models are the 5-inch Liquid Jade Z and 4.5-inch Liquid Z410, both with dual SIMs.

The top model is the 5-inch Liquid Jade Z, which offers 24-bit/192kHz music playback. It comes in two configurations: one with 1GB RAM and 8GB memory at a suggested $229, and one with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage at $249. It’s available only through Amazon for now.

The Liquid Z410, available in September, is also available in two configurations: 1GB RAM with 8GB storage at $129 and 2GB RAM/16GB storage at $149. It will also be available initially through Amazon.

The Windows M220 is available in Microsoft stores and such online stores as Acer.com, Newegg.com, DataVision and Rakuten (formerly Buy.com).

AcerEXTEND technology lets users control the Liquid Jade Z via cable or wirelessly from a Windows-based PC, enabling people to use their PC keyboard to type onto the phone and use the PC to drag and drop items.

The phone’s AcerRAPID key lets users program frequently-used actions for one-touch launching. Acer QuickTouch enables the phone to be controlled with a one-finger gesture, such as swiping a Z shape on the locked display to launch the music player.

Presentation mode optimizes note-taking by converting pictures of a sheet of paper or a screen into .jpg, .pdf or .ppt files. Dual Shot lets people make a collage from a simultaneous shot or video from the front and rear cameras to create a picture-in-picture. It also comes with voice command.

The unlocked phones work on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks and on services provided by MVNOs that use those networks.